The New IRA has announced plans to target the residences of police officers in Northern Ireland in response to a recent car bomb incident. The dissident republican group has claimed responsibility for the car bomb explosion outside a police station in Dunmurry, near Belfast, over the weekend.

According to a statement attributed to the “leadership of the IRA” in the Irish News, the New IRA warned that individuals providing information to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) would face severe consequences. The explosion in Dunmurry was reportedly intended to harm officers as they departed the facility.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries following the explosion that took place shortly after 10:50 pm on Saturday. Despite this, the blast caused significant damage, prompting the evacuation of families in the vicinity.

The group coerced a delivery driver to transport a bomb containing Semtex explosives, an electrical detonator, and a timing device. In response, the PSNI has announced plans for a heightened policing operation to address the threat posed by dissident republicans.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck emphasized the need for increased policing efforts across Northern Ireland to counter potential threats from dissident groups. He highlighted the importance of community support in ensuring the safety of both residents and law enforcement personnel.

The upcoming operation will involve additional vehicle checkpoints and patrols, potentially causing some inconvenience to the public. Beck urged patience and support from communities as law enforcement works diligently to maintain safety.

Political figures including First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly expressed strong condemnation of the attack and emphasized the need for heightened security measures. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Hilary Benn also denounced the violence, attributing it to a small group acting independently.

Police Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the incident as an assault on the entire community and criticized the perpetrators as reckless individuals. This incident follows a recent attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station, underscoring ongoing security concerns in the region.